Ritsurin Park

JR e-tickets are convenient because you don't need to exchange them for physical tickets. There are many options for the number of days, allowing you to combine them according to your itinerary to create a perfect travel plan. Since the fastest trains in Shikoku are Limited Express, you can bring luggage larger than 20 inches without any additional procedures. Even during peak travel season, I didn't need to book tickets; there was always enough space. The e-ticket also included the Kotoden train and the ferry ticket to Shodoshima, which you should definitely make good use of. I bought a seven-day and a three-day pass, totaling 12 days, which was enough for a rough tour around Shikoku. I went from Takamatsu to Tokushima, Tokushima to Kochi, Kochi to Matsuyama, and from Matsuyama, I also visited Dogo Onsen and Ozu. Then I returned to Takamatsu to visit Naoshima, Shodoshima, and the Kotoden area. I also had to find time to go to Aeon for souvenirs. Aeon was harder to find than Ritsurin Garden, and the tax refund counter closed at 7 PM. Their pace is slow-living, so remember to set aside time for souvenir shopping. Tax refund stores are not common in Shikoku; I didn't encounter any in drugstores. Shops in Takamatsu and Tokushima close a bit early, with many shutting down at 8 PM, except for one or two ramen shops or izakayas. It's worth mentioning that trains in Shikoku feature different cartoon characters; if you encounter them, remember to take photos and compare them, as each has its own unique charm. Overall, 12 days was still too short. I haven't been able to take a boat trip in Naruto to see the whirlpools (which requires a spring tide to be spectacular), and I haven't set foot in Oboke and Koboke. Many outlying islands are yet to be visited, and I couldn't spare time to go to Imabari. Most importantly, the Awa Odori Festival is not to be missed. I will definitely visit Shikoku again; its peaceful, slow-paced lifestyle is very appealing.

Super convenient! Worth buying! This was my first time visiting Shikoku, and I bought a 5-day pass. I traveled from Takamatsu to Matsuyama Dogo Onsen, where I ate Uwajima sea bream rice. In Kochi Hirome Market, I had seared bonito. I saw the Naruto whirlpools in Tokushima, visited Angel Road on Shodoshima, Ritsurin Garden, and Kotohira-gu Shrine (besides JR, you can also take the Kotoden train to Kotohira, which is super convenient and passes by Ritsurin Garden). This pass covered almost all my transportation costs for this trip (except for the bus from Naruto Station to Uzunomichi, which required an extra payment). I could freely use JR local and limited express trains, as well as the Matsuyama-Kochi tram. The 5-day pass covered approximately 31,000 yen worth of travel, so it definitely paid for itself and was a great deal!

It's in a somewhat inconvenient location, about a 20-minute walk from Takamatsu Station, or one train stop away followed by a 7-8 minute walk. This hotel is fundamentally not for tourists, but rather a typical business hotel for Japanese business travelers or group tours (like sports teams). The desk staff are all middle-aged, so communication is difficult beyond simple English, and they don't provide detailed information about the hotel. In the evenings, they offer free curry, udon, or donburi. You need to pick up amenities like gowns, conditioner, and razors yourself from the right side of the desk. Despite the inconvenient location, I would be willing to stay at this hotel again. First, the price is unbeatable, and there are many good places around the nearby station, such as delicious udon restaurants and izakayas. And one train stop is really nothing to worry about.

The 7-day pass for all four regions of Shikoku was well worth it, as the transportation costs would have originally exceeded 20,000. Great value!

The exchange waiting time is about 15-20 minutes. When exchanging at the green window at 5 PM, there weren't many tourists waiting. The JR staff could communicate in English. You can upgrade to reserved seats for 4 journeys for an additional 1200 JPY per person. It's not recommended to exchange tickets in the morning, as there are many people queuing every morning. The ticket is highly recommended, as it can save a lot on travel expenses.

The hotel's first floor has a bustling shopping street, so it's great to find food even if you return a bit late. We stayed in a standard twin room, and the space was ample for a family of two adults and one child. We came by car, and parking for one night was 1200 yen!

Everything from the experience, the staff, the food, the location, were all amazing! I was initially a bit worried since there weren’t many reviews on Klook for this, but everything worked out without an issue after booking. I was welcomed warmly and cheerfully by the staff, the lesson was fun and chill, the instructor tried her best with English instructions and tried making some simple conversations. Pictures and videos are allowed, they’ll give you a plastic apron and gloves after you change into slippers so most of your clothes won’t get covered in flour. You get to take the rolling pin and a certificate home which they give you a plastic bag for. You can also choose to take home the udon you made but it must be eaten on the same day. They will combine everyone’s udon and make it as part of the meal you booked, offering a balanced set meal with both cold and hot udon bowls. All in all this was so fun and worth it. Made my day in Takamatsu worth it. Side note: call them for singles.

I stayed one night at Daiwa Roynet Hotel Takamatsu. Its location near JR Takamatsu Station and the shopping arcade made getting around and shopping very convenient. The room was generally clean and well-equipped with all necessary facilities, making for a comfortable stay. However, I noticed a faint cigarette smell in the non-smoking room I was initially assigned. When I requested a change at the front desk, the staff member very kindly and promptly moved me to a different room. Thanks to their quick response, I was able to enjoy my stay. The bedding was cozy, and the soundproofing was decent, allowing for a restful sleep. Bathroom amenities were also amply provided. It was a highly satisfying hotel for its price, and I would recommend it to anyone visiting Takamatsu who desires both accessibility and comfort.